Approximately 3.6% of graduates in of Illinois receive science degrees every year.
That means an estimated 13,569 science professionals graduate from Illinois' 72 science schools each year.

Top Schools

The top-ranked school in Illinois that has a science program is Northwestern University. Northwestern University, which was ranked 7th in the country in 2010, is located in Evanston.
In 2010, Northwestern University graduated 484 students from its science program.
Students at Northwestern University paid $40,223 per year in tuition fees.

The second-ranked school in Illinois with a science program is Wheaton College, which is located in Wheaton. In 2010, it was ranked 21st nationwide.
192 students graduated with degree in science from Wheaton College in 2010.
Students at Wheaton College paid $27,580 per year in tuition fees.

The third-ranked school in Illinois with a science program is Loyola University Chicago, which is located in Chicago. In 2010, it was ranked 28th nationwide.
724 students graduated with degree in science from Loyola University Chicago in 2010.
Students at Loyola University Chicago paid $32,114 per year in tuition fees.

Cost

If you choose to attend a Illinois science school, average tuition will be $17,763 per year. However, tuition at your particular institution may range from $2,194 per year to $42,041 per year.
The highest tuition rates in 2010 at Illinois science schools were charged at the following schools:

University of Chicago - located in Chicago, students are charged $42,041 per year

Northwestern University - located in Evanston, students are charged $40,223 per year

Lake Forest College - located in Lake Forest, students are charged $35,525 per year

The science schools that charged the lowest tuition rates in Illinois were:

Elgin Community College - located in Elgin, students are charged $2,194 per year

Prairie State College - located in Chicago Heights, students are charged $2,348 per year

Illinois Central College - located in Peoria, students are charged $2,790 per year

A science degree from an Illinois school... what next?

Environmental scientist, biology professor, science professor, biophysics scientist , and chemist are the professions of choice for a majority of science graduates in Illinois.
In 2010, there were 15,710 science professional working in Illinois, including 610 life scientists, 1,460 environmental scientists, and 1,470 biology professors.
The Illinois counties with the largest populations of science professional are:

Cook County - 12,230 science professionals

Lake County - 740 science professionals

Marshall County - 140 science professionals

Projected Growth

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts by 2018, an estimated 8,930 science professionals will be working in Illinois. This would require the number of science professional to grow by 7%.

Salary

On average, science professionals earn $84,920 per year.
However, this number is only an average. Science professional in Illinois had varying salaries from $17,580 to $163,440 per year in 2010.
Science professionals in the following Illinois counties make the highest salaries on average:

Marshall County - $99,500 per year

Cook County - $82,523 per year

Lake County - $80,618 per year

The Illinois counties with the lowest average salary for science professionals are:

Bureau County - $39,510 per year

Menard County - $52,970 per year

Champaign County - $55,060 per year

On average, the highest paid science professionals in Illinois were:

Biophysics Scientist - $130,880 per year

Clinical Research Scientist - $111,340 per year

Science Professor - $78,960 per year

On average, the lowest paid science professionals in Illinois were:

Chemist - $69,010 per year

Biology Professor - $57,790 per year

More Information

Take a look at the graphs and charts below for additional Illinois statistics regarding a career in science and to compare salaries with a variety of related fields such as engineering or chemical engineering.

Here are the different levels of study available for you to explore.

Associate's Degree in Science in Illinois

Bachelor's Degree in Science in Illinois

Master's Degree in Science in Illinois

Doctoral Degree in Science in Illinois

Certificate in Science in Illinois

Want to study at your own time and pace?

Consider Online Schools as a great alternative flexible option to earn a degree!